The Complete Process of Programming Your Garage Door Opener from LiftMaster by Chamberlain

Have you ever had this scenario happen? You head home, and the sun is low in the sky. You're tired and ready to settle in for the night after a long day of work. But you get to the garage door, punch the remote control, and wait – nothing happens. Maybe you try again. And again. But eventually, you realize something isn't right. You recently serviced your door opener remote, so you know it works. Nope. Your Chamberlain or LiftMaster garage door opener needs to be reprogrammed. Where do you even start??

A garage by night, with 2 single garage doors. Their design is North Hatley LP, Their color is  Moka Brown, and they have 8 lite Orion windows

Feel like this story has happened to you before but wish your own garage door had these single, dual garage doors? You'll find them in the North Hatley LP Design with a Moka Brown color and eight-lite Orion windows.

Maybe you have a new door opener, and you want to install it yourself. Or you could have had an issue and replaced the main board, so you need to reprogram the unit before you use it again. Don't worry. Below are the easy steps to get it done quickly.

An image of man holding a "Be Aware" memo

First Ask Yourself: Do You Absolutely Want to Handle This Alone? You Might Want to Reconsider…

We will not send you off to handle this process before giving you essential information. So prior to beginning the reprogramming, make sure you know the critical information below:

  • If you make adjustments that are lousy or not quite precise enough, it can cause serious issues. For instance, it might cause your safety reversal system to stop working as expected. This can be deadly.
  • If the tracks on your garage door are stuck in ice, dirty, or otherwise compromised, this can cause the door opener to use excessive force when pulling the door now. This is another situation where the safety system may not work right. You have been warned.
  • Is the door opener older? Is it binding up the garage door? Force adjustments are NOT the way to handle this problem.
  • Step on is reprogramming the travel on the door opener. But you absolutely must also test the reversal system when you are done. It's mandatory.
  • You gotta be sure high vehicles like pickups and SUVs won't be damaged. Be sure the door opens fully and provides enough clearance for all your cars.

Don't conclude that there is no danger associated with garage doors. If the safety reversal system isn't working, it can injure someone severely or even cause DEATh. This is especially true with pets or small kids. This kind of reprogramming should not be done unless you are experienced and knowledgeable about the process. If that doesn't describe you, stay safe. Consider getting in contact with a certified technician in your area who works with LiftMaster Chamberlain products.

It might not be something you think about, but your garage is the most substantial moving item in the home. It has walls that move to close and open. The springs are held under massive pressure. In addition, consider whether you know anything about the motors and their mechanism for action.

A picture of a certified LiftMaster Chamberlain installer reprogramming a garage door opener.

Above is a certified technician reprogramming a LiftMaster Chamberlain door opener for a garage.

The 12 Steps That Will Reprogram the Travel on a Garage Door Opener with myQ by LiftMaster Chamberlain

  1. First, be sure the garage door is in theclosed position. However, don't disengage the door, and be sure the trolley sits near the door of the garage.
  2. A picture of a garage door opener trolley and emergency release cord

  3. Next, locate the adjustment buttons for the garage door opener. These can be in several areas depending on the model you own. The image below can help you locate them.

    A picture of different garage door opener models with the emplacement of their adjustment buttons

  4. Press down on the square black button until the point where you hear a beeping noise or see the UP arrow flash. This will indicate that you can set the opener into the OPEN position.
  5. Push down on the DOWN or UP arrows and hold until the garage door comes fully open. This will indicate the position you want when pressing UP on the remote.
  6. Now, push on the square black button before re-releasing it. You'll see two flashes from the opener lights to show that the OPEN position has been LOCKED in. At this point, you can set the CLOSE position.
  7. The next step is to push the DOWN arrow and hold it until the door has fully closed.
  8. Push down on the square black button and then release it to let the opener know this is the CLOSE position. The lights will flash twice again, and then the UP arrow will start to flash. This shows you that the DOWN position is locked in, and you are ready to move forward to the next part of programming.
  9. Push down on the UP arrow before you release it. As soon as the door moves to the UP location, the arrow for DOWN will start to flash.
  10. Finally, push the DOWN arrow and then let go of it. The door should immediately move to your programmed DOWN position. This is the end of the programming process.

    THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

    • The programming process has timed out on your myQ Garage Door Opener if you notice that the open light flashes five times while programming the travel.
    • There's a different issue if the lights flash TEN times during this same process with the door opener. The sensors associated with safety reversals are obstructed or not aligned correctly.
    • Once you clear and align the sensors, use the remote to bring the garage door all the way up and then all the way down to finish programming.
    • Curious about the round yellow button? This is for accessories associated with the garage door. You won't use it for the opener travel program process.
  11. Programming is complete, but you can't stop yet! No matter how major or minor the adjustments you make, you must test the safety reversal system. Get in information about the process and how US Inspect recommends doing it.
  12. Once that's done, use a keypad, remote, or smartphone to close up the door on the garage.
  13. Place a 2 x 4 under the garage door. When the door comes down, it should immediately reverse and go back up when it hits the block of wood.

Is Programming the Right Choice or Is it the Ideal Time to Get a New Garage Door Opener?

Not sure you want to go to all that trouble? Do you wonder whether it's needed or just a way to get you to buy something new? That isn't the case. The truth is that garage door opener technology changed a lot in 1993 and 2012, especially for Chamberlain and LiftMaster models. This is information you need to know for the safety of your garage and your family.

An image with the quote "Focus on facts, not fears".

Was your door opener made prior to 1993? You shouldn't be reprogramming it. Instead, you absolutely must replace your garage door opener to avoid danger to your family or anyone else who uses the garage door. It's a serious matter.

So what's the big deal about 1993? That was the year that Canada and the United States made it required to have two types of reversal systems to keep those using the garage door safe.

In 1992 and beyond, things were less safe. Manufacturers didn't have to include these safety features. This could lead to tragedy if a garage door came down when a child was playing underneath it. Nowadays, garage door openers are much safer, and you deserve that peace of mind in your life.

Chamberlain LiftMaster Openers and Reversal Systems

  • The primary system is mechanical. When the bottom edge of the door taps on an object, the motor notices and pulls the door back up.
  • The other one is photoelectric. Two parts are installed on the side of the door near the floor. The first shoots out an infrared beam that the human eye cannot see. The other side, known as the receiver, notices if the beam breaks and causes the motor to stop, so the door goes back up.

An image of 2 little girls breaking a garage door opener photo-cell safety beams, causing the garage door to stop closing and reversing its direction.

With these safety systems, the girls in the image above can have fun without being in danger. With safety beams that use photocell technology, the girls coming through the opening prevent the door from coming down and causing an injury. It's innovative, intelligent, and safe for the whole family! Kids can be kids and enjoy having fun without any extra worries.

Are you conflicted about whether you need to upgrade the garage door opener? Now is an excellent time to get educated on photocell safety beams. You can also find out about which urban legend about planes opening garage doors is really true!

You checked and your LiftMaster Chamberlain opener was made after 1993? Great! You might think that means you can save your money for fun things instead of spending it on garage needs.

Unfortunately, there's another date to be aware of. Has your garage door opener been manufactured before or after 2012?

An image of The Security+2.0 label you should look for on your garage door opener

Rolling code technology is essential, so make sure you have it available. Take a peek at the label for your Craftsman, Chamberlain, or LiftMaster door to see if it's provided.

As of 2012, all of the door openers made by Chamberlain include Security+2.0. This is a technology that incorporates rolling costs to keep burglars and others out of your garage. It does this by creating new security codes each time a remote is used to close or open the door.

A special algorithm chooses from one of over 100 billion codes each time you use the remote to move the door. At that point, the previous code is no longer usable. The door will only open with the new code. Through the technology that allows codes to only be used one time, a stolen remote will no longer let someone into your garage.

Not sure what year your Chamberlain or LiftMaster door opener was manufactured?

An example of a garage door label and where it can be found on different garage door opener models

Take a look at the primary LiftMaster and Chamberlain garage door opener models available. You can see where to find the stickers and appropriate information about the manufacture date.

Every door opener will have asticker containing pertinent information such as the serial and model numbers. These are useful to have available when you get in touch with your local garage door specialist.

The manufacturing date, known as the MFG date, tells you exactly when your opener was actually created.

Do you own a Chamberlain model that isn't a LiftMaster opener? Find out what you need at this FAQ.

Need to Replace Your Garage Door Opener? What Should You Do First?

The average person isn't aware of the nuances of motors, especially in garage door openers. You don't need to know everything to make it through the process. Use the information below to get things started.

Do you have a cathedral ceiling or is it low to the ground? Would you like to add belongings to the space above the door? Are windows above the garage door or do you want to add some?

A picture of house with a garage door in the Vog Design, 9' x 8' size, Black Color, with the Left‑side Harmony window layout

This is a contemporary, luxury door with a Vog Design and set of windows. For this situation, a LiftMaster 8500W mounted on the wall is a must. The Jackshaft opener style is explicitly made for some home garages. It can fit on the left or right side of the door and includes a bright 1,500 lumen light that can be placed anywhere you like.

Do you own an attached garage right under the living room? A bedroom? Maybe it sits next to the kitchen or dining room.

A picture of a garage with bedrooms over it and a single garage door in the Prestige XL Design, Chocolate Walnut Color, with Pinhead windows

A fan of this single-car door for your garage? This is the Prestige XL Design with pinhead windows and comes in a Chocolate Walnut hue.

With nearby living spaces, the door opener should be reasonably quiet. That means you need to avoid chain-operated openers. They might cost less, but they make a ton of noise. So instead, select an opener that uses a rubber belt.

Think it's not as big of a deal as we present it? Trust us. You won't be happy when you drift off to sleep and the screeching of the garage door tears you out of slumber.

For belt-driven LiftMaster models that are silent and efficient, you have two great choices:

A picture of the LiftMaster 87504-267 garage door opener, belt operation, with integrated camera and 2-way audio, Wifi, and a battery backup

The LiftMaster 87504-267

Made as an update to the well-known LiftMaster 8550, this garage door opener offers it all. It has a backup battery, a rubber belt-drive system, dual-way audio, and the useful myQ app. This lets you open, close, or otherwise operate the door from a phone or tablet. In fact, you SEE what happens in your garage. Use the audio to have chats with anyone who steps inside.

Don't care too much about the latest tech?

Not much into technology? No need to hear or see what's going on in the garage through a phone? Consider another rubber belt opener like the LiftMaster 84501. It works well, offers access to the myQ app, but doesn't include the desirable battery backup.

An image of the  LiftMaster 84501 garage door opener

Need More Information About Garage Doors and Openers? Your Best Option is Speaking with a Professional!

Most people rarely have the occasion to buy a door opener or garage door. In the vast majority of cases, we do this once or twice a lifetime at the most. This isn't like buying a new outfit that turns out to fit poorly that sits in a drawer for ages. Garage door openers and overhead garage doors are huge investments. They involve construction and other specialized work, so you want to be sure you select the right option.

Select correctly; you have a door for 25 years. It can add value and visual appeal to your home. That's why you need to consult experts to get the best option for your needs.

At First Choice Overhead Doors, garage doors and garage door openers are a passion we share. We have the knowledge you need. Our expert team can help you make a great choice that matches your budget in a short conversation.

Reach out at 905-642-6606!

Have you stumbled on the door or opener you want already?

Reach out to us for a quotation by email.

Need some inspiration while you shop online?

Take a look through our residential photo gallery. Want to see how options look on your existing home? Take up and upload a photo to use with our Design Centre. Have some fun, and make sure you select the right door today!

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